Camp Chateaugay
Merrill, N.Y.Thursday night
Dear Mom & Dad,
I held off writing hoping my social security card would arrive but it hasn't yet. The mail service up here must be really bad as the only thing I've received is Dad's post card. If you haven't yet sent the card, could you soon, as I need the number.
The "Institute" was sometimes interesting but more often boring. Aaron has been sick & is now in the hospital in Malone for tests. No one says much about it, but it must be an awful strain on Mrs. (Lil to us). At Institute various people held forth on a million different topics - run mostly by Pete Rose but Lil had plenty to say. That woman is really the power behind the throne. She has a finger in every pie & knows exactly what is going on in every corner of the camp.
Actually the Institute is a good idea as it gets counselors acquainted with the camp & its philosophy as well as other counselors. There are a bunch of us from all over - but a lot from Syracuse.
Friday A.M.
My co-counselor is a senior on the hill by the name of Sheila Protage. She's the kind who loves to run everything and never stops talking. There were a lot of kids I would rather have worked with but we have a great cabin - right near the big lodge - & a room of our own which is really a luxury. Five of our
nine(ten now) kids are here already & the rest come this afternoon. They are 12 & 13 years old & seem like a great bunch.As things turned out I'm assistant to the assistant waterfront director, which means I'll be spending a lot of my time with swimming. They don't subscribe to Red Cross methods so theoretically it makes no difference if I have instructors or not. Our w. director is a Red Cross man from way back & I think we're in for some disagreements on teaching methods.
I was very disappointed in the archery set up here. I guess nothing much has been done with it for several years but we've got some new equipment on order and I'm hoping we can build it up.
About 99.9% of the campers are Jewish & of course most, but not all of the counselors.
We have "services" every Friday - non-denominational but with Jewish litanies, etc. The food before the campers arrived was good & just like any other food but now that they're here we won't be having ham or bacon.
All in all, it looks like it'll be a great summer - lots of trips, canoe & mountain climbing, etc. They really have a great place here & steeped in tradition.
Guess I'll wait for the mail before I send this. Have you sent my pillow? I've borrowed one for the time being.
Love,
LizP.S. Pillow, magazine, S.S. card & letter all arrived today. I know Pat Sanborn, the girl pictured with Miss Newhall very well. Glad to hear Mrs. Welwood is set. As you say, its [sic] our loss. I'll drop a line to Tom & to Carsten.
Love,
Liz